Miners outlast Oklahoma, 120-118
February 29, 2008 - Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1)
East Kentucky Miners News Release
PIKEVILLE, KY. - East Kentucky bent, but never broke Thursday night at home versus visiting non-conference foe Oklahoma. The Miners managed to claim their first-ever win over the Oklahoma franchise, defeating the Cavalry 120-118. A fellow CBA expansion team, Oklahoma brought a 2-0 all-time record versus the Miners into Thursday night's contest. The win was East Kentucky's fourth triumph in six outings.
"We were able to step up and make big defensive stops when we needed them the most," said East Kentucky Coach Kevin Keathley. "Oklahoma is a great basketball team."
Point guard Jason McLeish recorded a double-double of 32 points and 11 assists to lead host East Kentucky to the victory. Oklahoma came into the game as the CBA's hottest team. The Cavalry had won 13 of their last 14 games.
Steve Thomas (17 points, 19 rebounds) and Boo Jackson (22 points, 12 rebounds) also recorded double-doubles for the Miners.
Mike Dean scored 26 points and Josh Pace pushed in 15 for host East Kentucky. With the win, East Kentucky went one game back above .500, improving to 22-21.
East Kentucky never trailed the Cavalry. The Miners led by as many as 23 points in the opening quarter. Host East Kentucky carried a 63-52 lead into halftime.
The Miners outscored Oklahoma 33-19 in the opening quarter and eventually won the quarter points 4-3.
Maintaining some sort of lead at the conclusion of each quarter, East Kentucky headed into the final quarter out in front 89-85.
Pace stole an Oklahoma pass in the final seconds of the game to seal the victory.
Daryan Selvy led Oklahoma with 27 points. Curtis Haywood had 23 points for the Cavalry. Deanthony Bowden pushed in 21 points for visiting Oklahoma.
East Kentucky held an advantage on the boards, outrebounding Oklahoma 44-31. Oklahoma dropped to 24-16 after absorbing the loss.
East Kentucky will host Oklahoma Friday for Pikeville Medical Center Night at the Expo Center. All PMC employees will be admitted free and all tickets - thanks to Pikeville Medical Center - are only $2.
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